Citroen 2cv6 on the move

The 2cv grew out of Citroen’s TPV (The Petit Voiture) project in the mid-thirties. Citroen’s vision of the peoples’ car was intended to entice, less-affluent, rural France out of their horses and carts and into the motor car. The brief called for a car that would be simple to own, cheap to run and repair but also capable of tackling the worst French pre-war country roads, while keeping passengers comfort.

The ‘6’ in 2cv6 refers to the 602cc, air-cooled, boxer engine, which was introduced as an option in 1970 before becoming the only choice from March 1978. Up until then the 2cv had a 435cc engine and these were known as 2cv4’s.

This humble but ingenious engine was designed by Italian engineer Walter Becchia (1903 – 1976), who prior to Citroen designed Grand Prix winning engines for Talbot-Lago and, rumour has it, designed the 2cv engine and gearbox in only 6 days.

— Carphile

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